Part B What's your thesis ? Based on your topic, what challenges does an individual or a group of people face when trying to define an American identity Think about the factors that complicate the formation of the American identity. What statements and evidence will you use to support your thesis? Remember that a good thesis is clear and thorough and contains a thoughtful perspective. It shouldn't be a simple fact (such a statement would give you nothing to argue)and it should have the right scope (not too narrow, not too broad) for the length and depth of your discussion . You may need to do some research to determine a position on your thesis topic. your response, include any facts, examples , or explanations gathered during your research (or from prior knowledge) to support the thesis.

Read the selection below and answer the question. an open boat by alfred noyes o, what is that whimpering there in the darkness? 

 'let him lie in my arms. he is breathing, i know.
 look. i'll wrap all my hair round his neck' – the sea's rising,
 the boat must be lightened. he's dead. he must go.' 


 see - quick - by that flash, where the bitter foam tosses, 
 the cloud of white faces, in the black open boat, 
 and the wild pleading woman that clasps her dead lover 
 and wraps her loose hair round his breast and his throat.
 'come, lady, he's dead.' - 'no, i feel his heart beating,
 he's living, i know. but he's numbed with the cold. 
 see, i'm wrapping my hair all around him to warm him.' -
- 'no. we can't keep the dead, dear. come, loosen your hold.

 'come. loosen your fingers.' - 'o god, let me keep him! ' -
 o, hide it, black night! let the winds have their way! 
 and there are no voices or ghosts from that darkness, 
 to fret the bare seas at the breaking of day. which choice best describes the conflict in this poem? the winds are rocking the boat. a man is thrown into the sea. a woman doesn’t want to let go of her dead lover. someone is crying in the darkness.

Read the excerpt from “the railroad earth.” o well anyway i'll be learning eventually to like the railroad and sherman will like me some day, and anyway another day another dollar. the narrator of this excerpt can best be described as friendly.optimistic.wealthy.intelligent.

Which statement best explains how the setting affects the meaning of the story? a. the water and wave motif conveys the queasy feeling the narrator has when walking alone at night. b. the firefly light conveys a feeling of nostalgia for long summer evenings spent with family. c. the phrase whispering and murmurs" suggests that the main character has fits of madness. d. the comparison of the street to a graveyard suggests that something is terribly wrong with society.